New research from the UK suggests girls in single-sex schools perform slightly better in exams than those in co-educational schools, contradicting previous studies.
Study Details:
The research, conducted by FFT Education Datalab, analyzed data from over 580,000 students in more than 3,200 government-funded schools using the UK’s National Pupil Database. It controlled for factors like socioeconomic status and English as a second language.
Findings:
The study found girls in single-sex schools showed a small improvement in exam results compared to their peers in co-ed schools, equivalent to about one month’s progress. No difference was found for boys’ schools.
Significance:
This finding challenges other large-scale research that found no significant academic advantage to single-sex schooling, such as a 2022 analysis of Irish students and a 2014 meta-analysis of studies across 21 countries.
Implications for Australia:
The research fuels the ongoing debate over single-sex education in Australia, amidst moves by some prestigious all-boys’ schools to co-education and incidents of sexism and misogyny. It suggests a perception that girls benefit more from single-sex schooling, a view historically supported by the establishment of girls’ schools in the 1800s to promote equal education rights.
Future Directions:
The study raises questions about the benefits of single-sex education and how successful aspects can be integrated into co-ed schools. Further research with families and the impact of programs like Respectful Relationships is needed to understand and enhance educational environments for all students.
Source: PTI
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